Arc-lamp.



G. HUMBER.

A ARC LAMP| APPLICATION FILED MAR. 29| 1915# 1 ,228,442. Patented June 5, 1917.

v 2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

G. HUMBER.

ARC LAMP'.

APPucATloN FILED mm. 29. |915.

` Patented June 5,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 gymmnoz UNITED STAWENT GFFICE.. f

.GUsTAvE HUMBEB, oF DENVER, COLORADO. i

Anc-LAMP.

To all who-m it ma concern: y

Be it known t at I, GUsTAvE HUMBER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Denver, county of Denver, and State of 5 Colorado, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Arc-Lamps,`of which the following is a specification. This invention relates to" certain new and useful improvements in arc lamps, and has lo'primarily for its object to providel'means whereby a steady light maybe maintained without the use ofv manual interference for lfeeding the carbons employed therewith as they become burned. l 'Y A further object of the invention -is to provide means for initially establishing the desired arc between the electrode points and for automatically maintaining the same while the lamp is in operation. 4

A further and more particular object of the present invention is to provide means ifor holding the electrodes employed in devices of this character -at their pointswhen the lamp is not burning, so as to prevent the same from rubbing together, due to vibrations, and in this connection the invention aims to provide improvements upon the device disclosed in my Patent No. 1,146,498. The lamp constituting the subject matter of the presentapplication is designed especially to be used upon vehicles, and more particularly upon railway rolling stock, such as locomotives, and'inasmuch as lamps of this character now generally in use upon such vehicles `are more or less inefficient, due to the fact that they are equipped with such carbon feeding means as to permit of the carbon points chafing each other when the -lamp not in use, the wearing away or 40 rubbing of the carbon points, caused by the lvibrations of the'vehicle when in motion, is

obviated by the employment of the improved carbon or electrode feeding means embodied' in the present invention. lVith the above mentioned objects in view,

together with others which willv appear as' the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel combination and` arrangement of parts all as will be described more s 5()4 fullyl hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claims. M v invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein-- t `55. Figure 1 is a front elevation of an improved arc lamp embodying my invention,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 5, 1917.

application niea March 29, 1915. serial No. 17,716.

Fig. 1av is a fragmentary view illustrating when the lamp is not in operation.

Fig. l2 is an enlarged' fragmentary front elevation of the electrode supporting and feeding mechanism, and, j

Figs. 3 and 4 represent respectively a fragmentary front elevation and a longitudinal section of the electrode supporting brackets disclosed in Fig..2.-

Referring now` more particularly to the drawings, 10 represents an arc lamp stand-` ard or support of conventional form, being provided with the usual' foot or base 11 for Athe clutches in the position they assume suitably securing the same in position, and v with any preferred form of means 12 for adjusting the standard relative to the base in order-that the arc may be properly centered with respect to the reflector with which it may be used.

While the standard or support for the device may be of any preferred shape or construction, the type employed in the present instance I find most convenient for illustrating the application of the device tobe hereafter described, and to the upper end of the standard 10 ll secure by suitable armed 67 within which a member 68 provided on the upper end of the section 66 is adapted to slide. A coil spring 69 is interposed bes tween themember 68vand the base ofthe socket' 67 to normally force the said sections 66 outwardly. vThe member 68 is provided with ya longitudinally extending groove 70 within which a set screw 71 is adapted to engage to prevent lateral or ro` tary movement-of the member 68, and more particularly to limit the longitudinal move- -ment thereof. The upper sections ofthe brackets are each rigidly secured to respective brackets 18 and 19. At the lower end of the bracket 13 is arranged an electrode 'v support and guide 23, and inasmuch as the lguide on the opposite electrode bracket is identical in construction, aV detailed description of one will be given; it being understood that the description applies equally as Well to both. This guide 23 comprises a collar extending outwardly from the front face of the lower end of sections 66 of the electrode bracket and being of substantially the same contour as is the electrode 15 in cross section. The inner walls of the collar are smooth so as to permit of the electrode freely feeding through the same, and in order to permit of a free feed of the electrode the collar is a trifle larger in diameter than is the electrode. An improved electrode supporting clip 25 is provided at the opposite end of each of the brackets 13 and 14, and each clip is adapted to slide longitudinally of its respective electrode bracket, having arms 26. engaging aroundthe longitudinal edges thereof. Upon the outer face of the clip 25 is secured a resilient member or clamp 27. This clamp is secured as at 28 at one end adjacent the outer end of the body of the clip and extends toward the opposite end thereof to engage the upper end of the carbon electrode. In practice the butt end of the electrode is inserted beneath the clamp 27 to be held thereby, and as the carbon is fed longitudinally of the bracket the clip will be free to slide. In this manner a free feed of the electrode is insured and yet the butt end of the electrode is held securely against any lateral movement as the arms 26 snugly engage around the holder member 65.

Upon the electrode guide or collar at the ends of each of the brackets 63 and 64 is an improved clutch for governing the feeding of the carbons, and each clutch comprises a bar or arm 34 pivoted as at 35 to oscillate in a direction longitudinally of the bracket to which it is attached. The inner end of this bar is provided with a preferably arcuate member'36, provided at its opposite ends with grip members 37 and 38; the same be ing so arranged that one or the other is in engagement with the electrode carried by the bracket at the extreme opposite positions of the said bar or arm 34, and yet neither will be in contact with the electrodes when the arm 34 is swung to an intermediate position.

For operating the clutches above described I provide a pair of rock levers 39 and 40 respectively.` These levers are pivoted at their outer ends to brackets 41 depending from the standard 10, and are connected intermediate their ends with the clutches by means of links 42, the latter, in order to permit of adjustment, being made up of separate sections 43 and 44, and threaded together as at 45 at their adjacent ends. To prevent any side movement of the links 42 the section 44 is extended through a sleeve 46 extending outwardly from the bracket adjacent the same. A pin and elongated slot connection 47 permits of rocking movementl of the rocker arms 39 and 40 without subjecting the links 42 to strain at the point of connection with the same.

It is my purpose in the present invention to provide a self feeding system for the electrodes, that is, one which when the electric. current is admitted to the lamp will establish and maintain an arc at the electrode points 'of such character as to attain ahigh formed upon the bracket 18. The opposite,

end of the rock arm 55 is connected to a lever 58, pivoted at 59 upon the standard 10, and connected at one end by a link 60 with the core 53 of the solenoid. A retractile spring 61 is connected to the opposite end of the lever 58 and with the standard 10 in such manner as to rock the same downwardly when the electromagnet is denergized and to operate the rock levers 39 and 40, through the rock arm 55 and slide bar 54, thereby throwing the clutch grip members 37 into engagement with the electrodes to hold the ends of the latter firmly to prevent chaing. lVhen the current is switched on the same is admitted to the electrodes through the binding posts 62 provided upon the arm 32 and the bracket 18 and also to the solenoid 52, whereupon the core 53 of the said solenoid' is drawn inwardly in the direction indicated by the arrow and the levers and arms above described operate to raise the slide bar 54 and the inner ends of the rock levers 39 and 40 respectively upwardly, the parts assuming the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and at the same time to operate the clutch at the base of each bracket to such position that the grip members 38 thereof contact the carbon to prevent further gravitation thereof. Further upward pull on the clutches by the rods 42 causes the parts 66 to move upwardly compressing the springs 67 thereby separating the electrodes and making the arc. In this position an arc such as is desired to attain a high degree of efficiency of the lamp is provided, and should the gap become so wide as to weaken the current flowing through the carbon points the contractile spring 61 will overcome the magnetic attraction upon the core 53 whereupon a feeding of the carbons is automatically brought about and the proper arc maintained. When the current is entirely cut ofi' from the lamp the spring 61 instantly acts upon the mechanism and the carbons are permitted to gravitate until their ends engage each other and are immediately thereafter engaged by the grip members 36 upon the opposite side of the arm 34 of the clutch to hold the carbons firmly so as to prevent chang )of the ends,that is, to prevent the same rubbing together or chipping when the lamp is not lighted.

When the gap at the points of the carbon becomes so wide as to vweaken the current the core of the solenoid will be released as above mentioned and the slide bar 54 will move downwardly, forcing the inner ends of the rock levers 39 and 40v in the same direction. It is to be observed tli'at immediately upon such action the spring 69 within the socket fformed in the upper section of the said bracket `will force the lower section 66 of the bracket vdownwardly thereby insuring a perfect and rapid feed of the carbons. Should the movement of the members -66 be insutlicient to bring the ends of the electrodes into proper relation, further movement of the levers '39' and 40 and-rods 42- will swing the clutches 34 so as to remove the jaws 38 from engagement with theelectrodes thereby permitting the latter to gravitate into engagement. Upon the meeting ofthe carbons or electrodes the increasedl current will cause the solenoid to draw inwardly upon the core thereon-thereby over-` coming the pressure of the contractile spring which is secured to the member 66, will be4 moved simultaneously with the said electrode in an upward direction and against the tension ofthe spring 69. This operation obviously 'causes the carbon points to be separated, and to remain4 so until the gap becomes sovwide that the vcurrent will be weakened, whereupon the above, detailed action will be repeated. vItis apparent that by adjustment-of the retractilespring 61 the gap between the electrodepoints can b e i governed to maintain at all times a proper and efficient arc.

To insure the lamp Yagainst becoming shortcircuited, the bracket 19 is insulated as at 72 from the support 10, and the bracket 18 is insulated from the said support as at 72. Tlierock levers 39 and 40 are also insulated as at`7 3 from the slide bar54.

vIt is obvious that by` the arrangement of the automatic means forfeeding 'they carbons and operatingtlie mechanism connected with the device a proper arci at all times maintained when the lamp is 1noperation,

and when the lamp is inoperative the electrode points are held firmly bythe clutch elements 36 so as to prevent the same chafing or chipping away throughvibrations of the vehicle or body upon which it may be used.` vIt is also apparent that the arrangement of the various parts permits of the de# vice being readily changed ,from that forni vice to that disclosed in the modification,

without the necessity of additional expense,A

`illustrated inthe preferred form of the de' and without the necessity of skilled help or special tools or instruments. l

While in the above described forms I have only illustrated what appears to me to be at v the present time the most. practicable presentation of the invention, I wish it to be understood that I reserve to myself the'right to make various changes and alterations in the form and construction thereof. as may fairly fall within the scope of the appended v claims.

-I claim 1. In an arc lamp,4 a pair of brackets ar` I ranged in convergent relation, an electrode in ealf of said brackets extending outwardly .ltherefrom lto meet, means for normally forcing said electrodes toward the point of convergence, a pivoted clutch member on'each bracket adapted to engage, its respective electrode at the limit kof movement in each direction, and ynormally holding said electrode against Vthe action of said forcing means, asolenoid, and a connection between the core of said solenoid and each of said lclutc members for operating the latter to successively each electrode movement of said core in releasev and gri upon continued) either outward or inward direction, substantially as described.

2...'In an arc lamp, a support, a pair of electrode brackets secured to said support in convergent position,` each of said bracketsl comprising a pairof sections slidably connected together at their adjacent ends to permeans tending normally to hold said brackets in extended position, anelectrode guide adjacent the end of the outermost of each of said sections, a clutch on each guide comprising a pivoted bar provided with means to grip said electrode when moved in either j direction vupon rocking ,movement of said pivoted bar, electrodes in said brackets eX- tending through said guides adaptedto be gripped by said clutches, and means for op# erating said clutches, and for simultaneously extending or contractingsa'id brackets, substantially asdescribed. a

3. In an arc lamp, a support',an electrode bracket on'said support, said bracket comprising a pair of Sections slidably connected together at their adjacent ends to permit of extension or contraction of said bracket, means tending normally to hold said bracket ioo '11o i mit of extension or retraction thereof,

in extended position, an electrode guide at the end of one of said sections, an electrode on said bracket extending loosely through said guide, a clutch on said guide provided with means adapted to alternately engage or release said electrode when said clutch is moved in oppositedirections, a rock lever, a link extending longitudinally of said bracket and connected at its opposite ends with said rook lever and said clutch, and means for rocking said rock lever, substantially as described. 4. An electrode bracket comprising a pair of sections adapted to slidably engage with each other at their adjacent ends, one of said sections being provided at its end with a longitudinally extending socket, a memberk on the adjacent end of the other of said sections for sliding engagement within said socket, a spring interposed between the end of said member and the bottom of said socket normally forcing said member outwardly, said member being provided with a longitudinally extending groove, a set screw on said socket section extending through the same for engagement within said groove, and means on said sectionsfor loosely supporting an electrode, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GUSTAVE HUMBER.

Vitnesses:

EARL C. LEE, JOSEPH A. BIGLIN. 

